Please take 5 minutes ASAP to email and call the
following subcommittee members of Bill 833(Read below). Which if
passed would prohibit the permanent tethering of dogs 24 hours a day
in SC.

A HUGE step for South Carolina

Really a miracle that it is being proposed. If you
are from NC or anywhere else please email too. We have to speak up
for them. You may want to mention some of the following: how
aggressive chained dogs become, inhumane, would help make it
difficult for dog fighters, and help stop the pet population
problem. For more facts on chained dogs see
www.dogsdeservebetter.org

A BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
47-1-45 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE TETHERING, FASTENING, CHAINING, TYING,
OR RESTRAINING A DOG TO A STATIONARY OBJECT FOR MORE THAN THREE
HOURS A DAY OR FOR MORE THAN SIX HOURS A DAY ON A TROLLEY SYSTEM; TO
PROVIDE CLASS I MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL PENALTIES; AND TO AUTHORIZE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY ORDINANCE TO VARY THESE REGULATIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State
of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 47 of the 1976 Code is
amended by adding:

"Section 47-1-45. (A) It is unlawful to tether,
fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause such restraining of
a dog, to a tree, fence, post, dog house, or other stationary object
for more than three hours in a twenty-four-hour period. During
periods of tethering that are not unlawful under this subsection,
any tethering device used must be at least fifteen feet in length
and attached in such manner as to prevent strangulation or other
injury to the dog and entanglement with objects other than the
stationary objects to which the device is attached.

(B) It is unlawful to tether, fasten, chain, tie,
or restrain a dog, or cause such restraining of a dog, to a cable
trolley system, that allows movement of the restraining device, for
more than six hours in a twenty-four-hour period. During periods of
tethering that are not unlawful under this subsection, the length of
the cable along which the tethering device can move must be at least
ten feet, and the tethering device must be of such length that the
dog is able to move ten feet away from the cable perpendicularly.

(C) It is unlawful to attach a chain or wire or
other tethering device to, or cause such attachment to, a choke-type
or pronged collar on a dog.

(D) It is unlawful to attach a chain or wire or
other tethering device to a dog in such manner that does not allow
the dog access to water and shelter.

(E) A person who knowingly or intentionally
violates subsection (A), (B), (C), or (D) is guilty of a misdemeanor
and must be punished in the manner prescribed in Section 47-1-40(A).

(F) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections
(C) and (D), a person may, subject to the provisions of subsections
(C) and (D) of this section:

(1) tether and restrain a dog while actively
engaged in:

(a) use of the dog in shepherding or herding
livestock;

(b) use of the dog in the business of cultivating
agricultural products, if the restraining is reasonably necessary
for the safety of the dog; or

(c) use of the dog in lawful hunting activities if
the restraint is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog.

(2) after taking possession of a dog that appears
to be a stray dog and after having advised animal control
authorities of the capture of the dog, tether and restrain the dog
during such time as the person having taken possession of the dog is
seeking the identity of the owner of the dog;

(3) walk a dog with a handheld leash.

(G) A county, city, or town may by ordinance:

(1) reduce the time of permissible tethering
provided in subsections (B) and (C) of this section, including a
prohibition on tethering;

(2) increase the permitted time for tethering on a
rope or chain provided in subsection (B) from three to as many as
nine hours;

(3) increase the permitted time for tethering on a
pulley system provided in subsection (C) from six to as many as
twelve hours in any twenty-four-hour period."